Chair back



March 5, 1957 e. K. SHERMAN CHAIR BACK Filed May 18. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3nnentor GA L E. K. SHERMAN March 5, 1957 G. K. SHERMAN CHAIR BACK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 18, 1955 lnventor GALE K.SHER/ \AN (Ittorneg Q Q Q 3% @Q Q Q Q Q United States Patent i'ice CHAIR BACK Gale K. Sherman, San Diego, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to General Dynamics Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application May 18, 1953, Serial No. 355,422

Claims. (Cl. 1555) This invention relates to chair structures and more particularly to a chair of improved construction especially adapted for use in transport vehicles such as aircraft,,railway coaches, and the like.

The chair of the present invention is herein described in connection with. a form intended for use in passenger aircraft and is exemplified by an anchored, reclinable double chair.

In the construction of airplanes, there has been a notable trend toward increased capacity, improved safety, and greater passenger comfort, and in the attainment of these goals, the design of the airplane chair is an important and contributing factor. For reasons of economy, both the airplane chairs and the arrangement thereof within the airplane have tended to become more compact, the chairs usually being arranged in the cabin seriatim, closely positioned one behind the other, and usually in sets of two on either side of a central aisle. The resulting compact seating arrangement, often called high density seating, efiects a desirable decrease in the cost per mile of transporting passengers because of the greater number of passengers carried. However, with such a seating arrangement, unless special attention is paid to proper design of :the chairs, certain undesirable conditions may result. For example, if adequate leg room and adjustments to permit reclining are not provided, the comparatively close quarters are likely to cause passenger discomfort. Further, closely spaced chairs increase the likelihood of passenger impact with the chair back ahead in a crash or similar emergency, and if the chair back is a comparatively unyielding structure, such as the usual tubular construction,

the passenger is likely to sustain serious injury. Forv :this reason the backs of such closely spaced chairs should .be designed to absorb such impact forces to minimize the possibility of injury to the passengers. Additionally, a high density seating arrangement in an airplane must be considered from the standpoint of the perennial aircraft problem of undesirable weight. This problem can be come particularly acute since any'excess weight which may exist in the individual chair 'is multiplied by the increased number of chairs crowded into the airplane cabin. Obviously therefore, chair weight should be held *to a minimum. However, although every reduction in chair weight should be sought since it desirably increases the pay load of the airplane, the design of the chair should maintain an intelligent balance between reduced weight and adequate structural strength, which strength is particularly important where the chairs will be subject to the hard usage characteristic of a common carrier, such as a commercial airplane. Additionally, it is often desirable to completely or partially convert an airplane from passenger to cargo use and for this reason, the airplane chairs should be adapted to expeditious installation and removal. It will be evidentthat such chairs should also be simple and economical of manufacture, easily disassembled for re}: pair. and replacement, and require minimum maintenance and upkeep.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention,

thrown against it under the impetus of a crash. 7

It is still another object of the invention to provide a chair of improved construction adapted to quick and easy installation in or removal from a' passenger transport? veg;

hicle. I

It is a further object; of the invention to provide an.im-;

proved chair which is comparatively simple and econom: ical to manufacture, and which requires but limited maintenance.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an. improved form of chair that occupies a minimum of space, is light in weight and yet is sufficiently rugged and to withstand hard usage.

Another object of the invention'is to provide an improved construction for a chair which permits quick assembly and disassembly of the chair back. Other objects and features of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art-from the following specification andappended drawings wherein is illustrated a preferred form of which: a a a Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a double chair according to the invention, portions of the upholstery be ing cut away for clarity; Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the seat frame according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a back perspective view of the outboard por tion of the seat frame; v

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view of a typical floor connection; i

Figure '5 is a front perspective view of the outboard chair back; Figure 6 is a back back;

Figure 7 is a backperspective view of a portion oflthei doublechair, illustrating'in detailthe sliding pinmech' made will be concerned With'an embodiment of the present invention adapted by its construction to location on theleft side of the central aisle of, an airplane, the aisle sideusually being designated as inboard and the wall or fuselagel'side usually being designated as outboard. Although .thfefine vention is described with particular reference, to such lo-:

cation, it is to be understoodlthat the. featuresof the invention .also make it adaptable to modificationfor 10-. cation on the right side of the airplane, as will be evident hereinafter. An airplane double chair to which this in vention is particularly directed, includes a pair of tiltable,

chair backs pivotally carried-by a seat framewhich is.

rigidly secured and supported at its inboard side to? theairplane floor, and at its outboard side to the airplane Thus, there are supports at the sides wall or fuselage. of the chair only, providing an abundance of leg room for passengers.

position adjusting mechanism which is, in turn, connected to the seat frame. The seat lock functions-to per'- mit adjustment of the position of.-the back towhichit is attached in such a way asto lock the'back'at any 'd'e-- Patented Mar. 5,1951.

this invention to provide a ve sturdy the invention, and I in perspective view of the outboard chair" Each back embodies a downwardly de-. pending member which is connected to a "seat lock, or

the side of the chair, such as on the chair arm. Thus, a passengermay adjust the degree of recline or tilting of the chair back to his individual desire.

The structure of the chair mainly employs light-weight metal, such as aluminum alloy, the seat frame being for the most part constructed of welded tubing, and-the chair backs being constructed of sheet metal adapted to progressively yield upon passenger impact during a crash. Further, the chair back is adapted to rapid connection and disconnection arrangement with the seat frame by a sliding pin mechanism, and the seat frame is similarly adapted to rapid connection and disconnection arrangement with the floor and wall, as will be more fully described hereinafter, the floor and wall connections being easily accessible and operable with an ordinaryvwrench while the chair back connections are susceptible of hand operation. In addition, throughout the seat frame an economy of weight and a preservation of adequate structural strength is effected through the use of strong and light weight bracing tubular construction in the seat frame, torque tube elements in both the seat frame and the backs, and sheet metal construction together with channel and box members in the chair backs. Thus, it will be evident that the airplane chair according to the present invention is characterized by improved strength and stress distribution, and by a simplicity of construction which lends'itself well to economical manufacture.

a Reference now will be had in detail to the drawings, and in particular to Figures 1 and 3 wherein is shown an airplane double chair 20, according to the present invention, adapted to location on the left side of the central aisle of the airplane. In general the chair comprises an inboard chair back 21 and an outboard chair back 22 pivotally mounted to a double seat frame 23, and a pair of conventional, telescoping type seat locks 24 and 25 to control and limit the extent of pivotal or recline movement of chair backs 21 and 22, respectively.

. Seat frame 23 comprises a pair of laterally disposed forward and rearward torque tubes or tubular members 26 and 30, respectively, located at aproximately'the same height above the fioor of the airplane and maintained in spaced relation with each other by a tubular side member 31 at their inboard ends, a tubular middle member 32 at their mid portions, and a Wall member or box frame 33 at their outboard ends. In addition a tubular forward leg 34 and a tubular rearward leg 35, reinforced by a diagonal tubular side brace 36, serve to support the inboard side of chair 20 at a suitable height above the floor of the airplane.- A bracket 40 is disposed over the inboard end of forward member 26 to form a cap therefor, the forward portion of bracket 40 being rigidly secured about the forward periphery of tubular member 26, as by a plurality of rivets 41, and the rearward portion of bracket 40 being suitably rigidly secured to forward leg 34 at approximately the mid portion thereof, Leg 34 is vertically disposed from the floor of the airplane to the point of connection with bracket 40, from which point leg 34 is rearwardly and upwardly disposed, as seen, to facilitate connection with an arm rest 42 and a side cover 43. Leg 35, extending upwardly from the airplane floor, is interconnected with leg 34 by side member 31. Side member 31 is welded at its forward end to-leg 34 at approximately the mid portion thereof, and also is welded to the upper end of leg 35. Side member 31, as shown, angles upwardly from the point of connection with leg 35 and is welded at its rearward end to the upper portion of a diago nally disposed tubular strut 44 which in turn is welded at its lower end at approximately the mid portion of leg 35. In addition, legs 34 and 35 are reinforced by a side brace 36 which is welded at its forward end to forward leg 34 and side member 31 at their juncture, and at its rearward end to the lower end of leg 35, the welded connection to leg 35 being reinforced by a spur 45 welded over said connection. It is to be noted that this arrangement of legs 34 and 35, brace 36, stnit 44, and side memher 31 affords the present chair desirable rigidity and strength, and is characterized by simplicity and economy of construction and assembly. It is to be further noted that legs 34 and 35 constitute the only connection between the floor of the airplane and chair 20, whereby passengers are provided ample leg room beneath chair 20.

A triangular plate 46, of a shape congruent with the triangular opening formed by brace 44, the rearward portion of member 31, and the upper portion of leg- 35, is welded to the sides of the aforementioned members to serve as a mounting plate for the inboard end of rearward member 30 which is rigidly secured thereto, as by a plurality of rivets. This completes the inboard securement of tubular members 26 and 38.

Forward tubular member 26 and rearward tubular v member 3%) are connected at their outboard ends to the box frame 33, as best seen in Figures 2 and 3. Frame 33 extends longitudinally for a greater portion of its length to form vertical flanges 52 which are spot welded to back plate 50. Member 51 and plate 50 define .therebetween a channel more or less rectangular in cross section within which three vertically disposed channel shaped stiffeners (not shown) are each positioned at those points where frame 33 isto beconnected to the aircraft wall structure, as will lie-apparent; These stiifeners provide support and reinforcement for three sleeves 53 which are laterally disposed through and welded within suitable openings provided in the stiffeners and in plate 50 of frame 33. Further reinforcement for sleeves 53 is provided by three plates 54 each embodying a central hole through which a sleeve 53 projects, plates 54 being riveted to back plate 50, and sleeves 53 being welded .to plates 54. Connection of frame 33 to the wall structure of the airplane is preferably by conventional bolts (not shown) which are adapted to project through sleeves 53 and have their projecting ends rigidly secured by suitable locknuts (not shown) to suitable brackets (not shown) provided by the wall structure of the airplane. It is readily apparent that theuse of conventional bolts provides a rapid and easy means for connection and disconnection of chair 20 with the airplane wall or fuselage. It is understood that although three connection sleeves 53 have been shown the invention is not limited to that specific number of connection points. However, at least two connections should be provided, one forward and one rearward on frame 33 to assure a firm connection to the airplane wall.

Frame 33 is additionally provided with a generally vertically disposed square tubular fitting 55, the lower end of which is welded to the hat member 51. Fitting 55 serves to aid in the mounting of an inboard arm rest to chair 20, as shown by broken lines in Figure l. A pair of abut- .ting tabs 56, formed by extensions of the upper edges of plate 50 and hat member 51, are welded to the lower portion of the forward face of fitting 55 to provide support for fitting 55. Further support is furnished by a plate 60 which is welded to the lower portion of the rear face of fitting 55 and the vertical face of hat member 51. Tabs 56 and plate 60 thus cooperate to maintain fitting 55 rigidly secured in desired position.

The right hand end, as viewed in Figure 2, of rearward tubular member 30 is rigidly secured, as by rivets, within a tubular socket 61 which is positioned and welded within an opening provided therefor in the rearward portion of frame 33, and, similarly, forward tubular member '26 is rigidly secured at its right-hand end as by rivets, within a tubular socket 62 which is positioned and welded within a semi-circular recess provided therefor inthe forward end of frame 33. frame 33 and tubular members 26 and 30 are rigidly affixed into assembly.

Middle member 32 serves to space apart the tubular members 26 and 30 at their midportions, member 32 being provided with a semi-circular fitting 63 which is welded to the forward end of member 32 and riveted to the rearward periphery of tubular member 26. The rearward end of middle member 32 is positioned within and riveted to a forwardly protruding tubular portion of-a back support 64 which in turn is mounted upon rearward tubular member 30. Spacer member 32 carries a pair of tubular sockets 65 and 66, tubular socket 65 being vertically disposed and welded within a suitable opening in the forward portion of member 32, and similarly, tubular socket 66 being vertically disposed and welded within a suitable opening in the rearward portion of member 32. The sockets 65 and 66 serve to support apair of legs 70 of a middle arm rest 71, as illustrated in Figure 1. It is to be noted that the opening of socket 66 is elongated, this in order that legs 70 may be fitted within the sockets 65 and 66 even though there be some misalignment between sockets 65 and 66 and legs 70.

A pair of bifurcated brackets 72 are each rigidly secured at opposite ends of rearward tubular member 30, as by rivets; brackets 72 in combination with a bracket portion 73, formed integral with back support 64, are adapted to secure the ends of a pair of suitable airplane seat belts (not shown). Such belts are intended to hold passengers in chair in the conventional manner.

Seat frame 23 constitutes the primary structure for the support of two passengers seated in chair 20, and for the comfort and convenience of the passengers it may be provided with any suitable upholstery and decorative or protective covering, such as is partially illustrated in Figure l. For example, by any suitable fastening means, arm rest 42, side cover 43, and a kick panel 74 may be mounted to the inboard side of chair 20. Arm rest 71 may be mounted to middle member 32, and, additionally, an arm rest 78, shown by broken lines, may be secured to box frame 33 at the outboard side of chair 20. Additional upholstery for chair 20 comprises a pair of seat cushions 75 arranged over members 26 and 30, and a pair of back cushions 79 suitably arranged over chair backs 21 and 22, as illustrated. A pair of suitable control members 76 are preferably mounted within arm rests 42 and 78 and connected by a pair of cables 77 to seat locks 24 and 25, respectively, whereby passengers may conveniently actuate seat locks 24 and 25. The present invention is not directed to any specific form of aircraft seat lock and it is intended that any suitable telescoping form of seat lock be used with the present invention. The seat locks are conventionally pivotally connected at their opposite ends to seat frame 23 and chair backs 21 and 22 whereby pivotal reclining movement of backs 21 and 22 are permitted under the control and-adjustment of the passenger manipulating control member 76. Chair 20 according to the present invention sinee-itaccommodates two passengers utilizes a pair of seat locks 24 and 25, one end of lock 24 being pivotally connected to the inboard end of tubular member 26, as at 80, and the other end being pivotally connected to the lower portion of chair back 21. Similarly, one end oflock is pivotally connected to the outboard end of tubular member 26, and the other end is pivotally connected to the lower portion of chair back 22, as at 81. By actuation of control member 76 and in turn cable77, a passenger resting his Weight against chair back- 21, for example, will effect backward pivotal movement thereof by virtue of the telescoping or relative movement between the cooperating members of lock 24. Upon release of control member 76, seatlogk 24' will lock,-'-'preventin'g" 'further telescbpin'g thereof; thereby se- In this manner box curing .chair back 21 in thefladjusted position' lnzthe absence of a backward forice pgain's't back 21, pivotal movement of back 21 towardan'upright position is similarly effected by actuation of control member 76, where: by relative movement of the cooperating members of, lock 24 is permitted. It is to be understood, however, that such seat lock may be replaced by a rigid support bar when areclining chair is not desired.

Simple and rapid connection and disconnection of chair 20 with the floor or other supporting surface of the air: piano is provided by a pair of floor connectors 82 having" a construction as illustrated in Figures 2 and 4. As shown, connector 82 associated with leg 34 comprises'a cylindrical ferrule/83 fitted within leg 34, ferrule 83 embodying an outer peripheral shoulder portion 84 which seats against the lower end of leg 34,'Whereby ferrule 341's prevented from passing completely up and'within' leg. 34. A securing pin 85, passing through horizontally aligned holes in leg 34 and ferrule 83 and held 'inplace by a cotter pin 85a, maintains ferrule 83 within leg, 34. The lower end of ferrule 83 additionally embodies an inner peripheral flange 86 which serves to form a cen-v tral opening for a stud'90. Stud 90 comprises an upper threaded shank 91, a larger diameter shoulder 92'below shank 91, a lower threaded shank 93, and an integral nut portion 94 which is located between portion 92 and shank 93. The upper end of stud 90 is fitted within ferrule 83 with shoulder portion 92 being rotatably posi tioned through the opening formed by flange 86. A wash-- er'-95,-which isof a larger diameter than that of the opening in flange 86, and a locknut'96 are mounted on stud 90 whereby stud 90 is secured to ferrule 83. It is to be noted the vertical distance between washer 95 and in tegral nut 94 is greater than the-vertical thickness of flange 86, whereby rotatable movement of stud 90 Within ferrule 83 is permitted. Lower threaded shank 93 off: stud 90 is adapted to be disposed through a suitable hole in the aircraft supporting structure such as floor mem-" her 100, and through a suitable hole in appropriate reinforcing structure, such as member 101, and to be, threaded,

into a conventional nut plate 102 which is rigidly aifixed" to the underside of 'member 101. Thus it is apparent that chair 20 may readily be connected to or disconnected from the airplane floor merely by rotating nut 94, as

by means of a conventional wrench. Further, when desired the complete floor connector 82 is adapted for easy removal or separation from leg 34 simply by re moval of pin 85. The floor connector 82 which is associated with leg 35 is identical in construction and loca-- tion with connector 82 as described in connection with leg 34.

The means and manner in which the seat backs 21 and 22 are attached to seat frame 23 will now be described. As shown in Figure 2, an inboard tubular sleeve 103 is transversely disposed and welded within a suitable open ing in the uppermost portion-of strut 44, and a similar" outboard tubular sleeve 104 is horizontally aligned there" wardly extending arm 107 of back support 64, and is" horizontally aligned with sleeves 103 and 104. Bushings (not shown) are pressed within sleeves 103, 104' and to provide bearing surfaces for connections pro vided' by chair backs 21 and 22, and also to reduce frictionalwear whichmay result'from repeated pivotal move-'- mentof the chair backs. The particular means by which backs 21 and 22 are mounted to seat frame 23 will be' described in detail hereinafter in connection withvthe' description of the structure of backs 21 and 22.,

i Chair 'backs 21'and 22 are-substantially identical in construction and for this reas only chair k. 22,

will be described in-detail, it being understood; that description is equally applicable to chair back, 21 except asotherwise set forth. Referring now to Figures 5 and 6,

there is shown in detail the outboard chair back 22. Chair back 22 preferably in its greater portion is constructed to sheet metal, whereby it mayzhave the desired strength and yet be readily capable of progressive yielding under passenger impact. Back 22 as best illustrated in Figure 6, comprises a sheet metal channel member 106 generally U-shaped in configuration, having along its outer free margins a forwardly extending flange 110, and along its inner margins a forwardly extending flange 111 which terminates in an inwardly directed flange 112. A sheet metal pan 113, as best shown in Figure 5, is arranged ac ross the front of member 106, and embodies along its outer free margins a rearwardly extending peripheral flange 114 which overlaps peripheral flange 110 of U-shaped channel member 106. For manufacturing convenience in forming flange 114, portions thereof may be made intermittent rather than continuous, as illustrated at 115. Pan 113 and member 106 are rigidly secured together by a plurality of rivets 116 uniformly spaced and disposed through the face of pan 113 and inwardly directed flange 112, or channel 106 and, in additionby a plurality of rivets 120 uniformly spaced and disposed through overlapping peripheral flanges 110 and 114. As shown, a plurality of access or lightening holes 121 have been provided in both member 106 and pan 113 to produce a light weight and more readily yieldable construction. Holes 121 also enable convenient access to rivets 120 with a bucking bar or plate, whereby the shank ends of rivets 120 may be bucked or upset.

The hollow generally U-shaped box-like structure formed by the rear face of member 106, the flanges 110 and 111, and the pan 113 terminates in a pair of laterally spaced open ends 122 and 123. Within ends 122 and 123 are arranged the upper ends of a pair of channel shaped brackets 124 and 125, respectively, with the walls of these brackets being disposed in abutment with p the rearward face of pan 113 and the inner faces of flanges and 111 as shown in Figure 6. A pair of channel shaped reinforcing elements 126are also disposed within ends 122 and 123, elements 126 being rearwardly disposed in abutment with the inner faces of member 106 and the channel legs of associated brackets 124 and 125. A plurality of rivets 130 rigidly secure brackets 124 and 125 to pan 113, while a plurality of rivets 131 rigidly secure elements 126 to member 106. Additionally, a number of rivets which secure flange 114 to flange 110 are also disposed through and secure brackets 124 and thereto, while other rivets rigidly secure brackets 124 and 125 to elements 126 and to flanges 110 and 111 of member 106. As will be evident, there is suflicient space at each open end 122 and 123 to insert a bar for bucking rivets 120, 130, 131, and 135. As is evident from the drawings, brackets 124 and 125, differ in configuration. Bracket 125 embodies at its lower end simply a pair of spaced ears 125-a while bracket 124 embodies an integral downwardly depending, channel-shaped arm 132 which is provided at its lower end with a slot 133 and a pair of transversely aligned holes 134, as shown in Figure 5, the slot 133 and holes 134 adapting arm 132 for pivotal connection to the rearward end of seat lock 25.

Chair back 21 is identical with chair back 22 except for the reversal of the positions of brackets 124 and 125 carried by these backs. More specifically, bracket 124 of back 22 is located on the outboard side of back 22 in order to cooperate with seat lock 25, as previously described, while bracket 124 of back 21 is located on the inboard side of back 21 in order to cooperate with seat lock 24. Both brackets 125 will in turn be located substantially midway of seat frame 23. Thus, as partially illustrated in Figure 7, when chair backs 21 and 22 are mounted to seat frame 23, brackets 125 are located more or less side by side on opposite sides of arm 107 of back support64. Since backs 21 and 22 are substantially the same, like numbers are used to designate like parts in 'both the description and drawings of the chair backs. A Transversely disposed between brackets 124 and 125 is a cylindrical torque tube 136, the open ends of which are closed by a pair of circular cup members rigidly secured to tube 136 as by blind rivets 141. Cup members 140 are further rigidly secured to associated brackets 124 and 125 by rivets 143. Tube 136 serves to complete the boxlike structure formed by U-shaped member 106 and pan 113, whereby a back structure is produced which is particularly characterized by its light weight and comparatively high resistance to torsional stresses. In addition, both pan 113 and U-shaped member 106 are capable of local deformation and yieldability under light loads, whereby upon passenger impact, for example, a cushioning effect is provided which tends to reduce the possibility of serious passenger injury during a crash or similar emergency.

In the construction of chair 20, aluminum alloy material is preferably used wherever possible in order to reduce weight. In chair backs 21 and 22, by way of example, thin gage aluminum alloy sheet metal, approximately 0.032" in thickness, has been found to be satisfactory for U-shaped channel member 106 and pan 113.

A means. for quickly and simply attaching chair backs 21 22 to seat frame, 23 is provided by two pairs of sliding pin mechanisms 144 operatively carried by chair backs 21 and 22, one mechanism 144 being positioned at each side of each of the backs 21 and 22. Mechanisms 14 are identical in construction and, therefore, only one, that illustrated in the right portion of Figure 7 and in Figure 8, will be described in detail. Mechanism 144 comprises a bushing 145 press-fitted within suitable openings provided in cup member 140 and in the right ear portion 125a of bracket 125, bushing 145 embodying a peripheral shoulder portion 146 which is arranged in abutment with ear 125. In addition, a laterally aligned bushing 150 is press-fitted within suitable openings provided in the left ear portion 125a of bracket 125 and in a circular spacer 151, which is rigidly secured to bracket 125 by a plurality of rivets 152. Bushings 145 and 150 serve to pivotally accommodate and provide bearing support for a laterally-diposed pin 153 which comprises a larger diameter portion 154 disposed through bushing 150, and a smaller diameter portion 155 disposed through bushing 145. As will be apparent, in its normally engaged position, portion 154 of pin 153 projects outwardly of spacer 151, whereby the projecting end of portion 154 is adapted to location within sleeve 105 of back support 64. In addition, a helical compression spring 156 embodying a tang 16%} at the left end thereof is mounted concentrically about pin 153. Tang 160 is urged by the com" pressive force of spring 156 into a suitable opening provided in a release rod 161, which is slidably disposed through a diametral hole provided in pin 153. In its normally seated position, rod 161 is held by the compressive force of spring 156 between the bucked ends of two of the rivets 152, as illustrated, whereby independent downward pivotal movement of rod 161 is prevented. However, rod 161 may be manually urged inwardly toward torque tube 136, against the force of spring 156, a distance sufficient to clear rivets 153, whereby rod 161 may be downwardly and rcarwardly pivoted to a generally horizontal position as illustrated by the broken lines of Figure 7. In this position, rod 161 serves as a handle whereby sutficient manual force may be inwardly exerted against rod 161 to compress spring 156. As will be apparent, as rod 161 is moved inwardly to compress spring 156, pin 153, in turn, will be simultaneously moved inwardly until portion 154 abuts bushing 146, at which point further inward movement is prevented. In this position, the left end of portion 154 of pin 153 is housed within bushing 150 in a position of disengagement with sleeve 105 when pins 153 of both mechanisms 144 asse avsasai 9 eiated with a seat back aremoved to disengagedpositions asdescribed' the seat back may then be removed 'assum ing that the associated seat lock has also been disengaged from arm 132 of the seat back. To re engage the seat back it is necessary merely to release rod 161 whereupon the compressive force of spring 156 will urge rod 161, and -inturn, pin 153, outwardly until rod 161 abuts the left side of bracket 125, at which time the outward-end of portion 154 will project outwardly of spacer 151 asbefore. Next, rod 161 may be pivoted upwardly to its normal, seated position between rivets 152. Further, for

such maintenance and replacement of parts as may be. necessary-"it is a' relatively simple matter to disconnectand remove pin 153, spring 156, and 'rod 161 by urging tang 160 inwardly until it is withdrawn from rod 161, thus permitting the removal of rod 161, which in turn permitsthe outward sliding of pin 153, thereby freeing spring156.

As was previously mentioned, a pair of sliding pin mechanisms 144 are incorporated in each chair'back, mechanisms 144 being so located in chair backs 21 and 22- that portions 154 of pins 153 project outwardlyfrom the respective chair backs, whereby portions 154 serve to pivotally cooperate with their respective associated sleeves 103,104, and 1050f seat frame 23. More-specifically,- as

illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, chair back 22 is mounted between sleeves 104 and 105, and chair back 21 is mounted between sleeves 103 and 105. The mountiing ofback 22, for example, is effected by inwardly urging rods 161 at each side of back 22, which in turn, houses the outwardly projecting ends of portions 154 within their correlative bushings 150, and next positioning the back 22 between sleeves 103 and 104 with portions 154 in alignment with sleeves103 and 104. At this time, release of rods 161 permits introduction of. portions 154 intocorresponding sleeves 1134 and 105. In a like manner, portions .154 of back 21 may be introduced into sleeves 103 and 105. Rods 161 may then' be pivoted into their normal, seated position between rivets 152, as was previously described. In addition, seat lock 24 is pivotally connected todownwardly depending arm 132 of back 21, and likewise, lock 25gis pivotally connected to arm 132 of back 22, whereby actuation of locks 24 and 25 produces a pivotal movement of backs 21 and 22, respectively. If desired, only one sliding pin mechanism.144 need be, associatedwith each chair back, in which case a rigidly-.mountedpinwill be substituted for'pin 153 of the mechanism 144 ;wh'ich is eliminated, such rigidly mountedpin, protrudingbe yond its respective spacer 151 a distance sufliciently short to permit the chair back to be laterallypiv-oted about such pin for removal of the chair back after disengaging of the single mechanism 144.

It is to be understood that chair 20 may be modified for location on the right side of the central aisle of the airplane, in which case the modified chair may be visualized as a mirrored image version of the chair 20 which has been illustrated.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto as many variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is to be given its broadest possible interpretation within the terms of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a vehicle chair having a seat frame, a chair back for connection to said seat frame, said chair back comprising a thin gage pan member having a plurality of openings therethrough whereby said pan member is more readily deformable under impact, a thin gage reinforcing member positioned upon said pan member and secured thereto, said reinforcing member being of a shape to form in cooperation with said pan member a closed arcuate hollow channel which is coextensive with at least three sides of said pan member and readily deformable under impact, and means carried by said chair back for connecting said chair back to said seat frame.

. peripheral flange, av sheet metal U-shaped channelmem a 10 V f 2311i" a; vehiclechair having aeatfraniefaichair forconnection'to s'aid'iseat frame, said chairi'backl'c o'nf prising' a pan member haviug'a plurality of openings therethrough whereby said pan member is) more readily deformable undenimpact, an arcuate channelmembeif positionedupon said pan member and secured thereto to form therebetween a closed arcuate hollow channel whichis readily yieldable under impact, a p'airo'f sup porting means secured to said channel and pa'n members adjacent the ends of said channel member, and means carried by said ohair back and operatively associatednvitl said pair of supporting means forconnecting' saidchair', back to'the seat frame. s V J f i 3. In a vehiclejchair having a seatframe, achairback for connection to said seat frame, said chair back oom; prising a sheet metal panmember having a lplural ityof lightening holes and having a rearwardly extending, on i peripheral flange, a sheetmetal U-shaped .channellmem; ber positioned upon the back of said p an membenfsa'id channel member having a plurality of lightening holes: and including a forwardly extending, outerperipheral flange secured to'the outer peripheralflange of said pan member and further including a forwardly extending inner peripheral flange terminating in an inwardly ',di-. rected flange secured to said pan member to form with said pan member a hollow U-shaped box-like structure which terminates in a pair of open ends, a pair of mounting" members secured'to said pan and channel members adja cent said pairiof open ends, and means carried by' said. chair back and operatively associated with said mounting" members for connecting said chair back to the seat."

4. A .tiltable chair back for mounting upon avehicle seat frame, said chair back comprising a generally rec-11 tangular sheet metal pan member having a plurality of lightening holes and having a rearwardly extending, outer her positioned upon the back of said pan member, said channel member having a plurality Of lightening holes andv including a forwardly extending, outer peripheral flangesecured to the outer peripheral flange of said pan member and further including a forwardly extending 'inner peripheral flange treminating in an inwardly directed flange secured to said pan member to form with said pan member a hollow U-shaped box-like structure which terminates in a pair of open ends, a pair of mounting members secured to said pan and channel members adjacent said pair of open ends, and means carried bysaid' chair back and operatively associated with said mounting:

members forconnecting said chair back to the seat frame;

one of said mounting members including a depending'arm" adapted for operative connection with said seat frame for maintaining said chair back in a tilt position.

5. A chair back for connection to a vehicle seat frame, said chair back comprising a sheet metal pan member having a plurality of lightening holes and having a rearwardly extending, outer peripheral flange, a sheet metal U-shaped channel member positioned upon the back of said pan member, said channel member having a plurality of lightening holes and including a forwardly extending, outer peripheral flange fastened to the outer peripheral flange of said pan member and further including a forwardly extending inner peripheral flange terminating in an inwardly directed flange fastened to said pan member to form with said pan member a hollow U-shaped box-like structure which terminates in a pair of open ends, a pair of mounting members fastened to said pan and channel members adjacent said pair of open ends, a torque ielement secured between said mounting members to provide a structural transverse continuation of said hol low U-shaped box-like structure, and means carried by said chair back and operatively associated with said mounting members for connecting said chair back to the seat frame.

6. A tiltable chair back for connection to a vehicle seat frame, said chair back comprising a generally rectangular sheet metal pan member having a plurality of lightening holes and having a rearwardly extending, outer peripheral flange, a sheet metal U-shaped channel member positioned upon the back of said pan member, said channel member having a plurality of lightening holes and including a forwardly extending, outer peripheral flange secured to the outer peripheral flange of said pan member and further including a forwardly extending inner peripheral flange terminating in an inwardly directed flange secured to said pan member to form with said pan member a hollow U-shaped box-like structure which terminates in a pair of open ends, a pair of mounting members secured to said pan and channel members adjacent said pair of open ends, a torque element secured between said mounting members to serve as a structural transverse continuation of said hollow U-shaped boxlike structure, and means carried by said chair back and operatively associated with said mounting members for connecting said chair back to the seat frame, one of said mounting members including a depending arm adapted for operative connection with said seat frame for maintaining said chair back in a tilt position.

7. In a vehicle chair having a seat'frame adapted for connection to the vehicle, a chair back, said chair back including a pan member and a channel member formed to extend in an arcuate configuration, said pan member and said channel member being constructed of readily yieldable sheet material, said pan member having a peripheral flange and said channel member having opposed leg portions providing spaced flanges one of which is rigidly secured to said pan member and the other of which is rigidly secured to said peripheral flange of said pan member to form a peripheral box-like structure, and means carried by said chair back for readily releasably and pivotally connecting said chair back to said seat frame. 7

8. In a vehicle chair having a seat frame, a chair back for connection to said seat frame, said chair back comprising a generally rectangular pan member, a channel member generally of U-shaped cross section positioned coextensive with at least three sides of said pan member, said channel member having the openpo'rtion of its U- shape closed by said pan member, said channel member being rigidly secured at the margins of its sides to said pan member to form a closed and integral box-like structure extending coextensive with at least three sides of said pan member, said pan member and said channel member being constructed of thingage sheet material readily yieldable on impact, and means carried by said channel member for connecting said chair back to said seat frame.

9. -In a vehicle chair having a seat frame adapted for connection to the vehicle, a tiltable chair back, said chair back including a thin sheet metal pan member and a thin sheet metal channel member positioned coextensive with at least three sides of said pan member, said channel member including a pair of opposed side portions integrally joined to a top portion to form an inverted U- shape configuration, said channel member being rigidly secured to said pan member at the free margin of each of said pair of opposed side portions to form a closed, boxlike structure extending coextensive with said three sides of said pan member, readily releasable means carried by said chair back for pivot-ally connecting said chair back to said seat frame to permit tilting movement of said chair back, and 9. depending arm carried by said chair back and adopted for operative connection with said seat frame for maintaining said chair back in a tilt position.

10. A chair back for connection to a vehicle seat frame, said chair back comprising a generally rectangular pan member, a channel membergenerally of U-shaped cross section positioned coextensive with three sides of said pan member with the free margins of the legs of said channel member rigidly secured to said pan member to form a closed structure bounding said three sides of said pan member, a torque element of relatively heavy cross section secured between the ends of said channel member along the remaining side of said pan member whereby said torque element assumes twisting loads imposed upon said pan member and said channel member, said channel member by reason of its closed structure serving to transfer twisting loads to said torque element, said pan member and said channel member being made of locally deformable and yieldable sheet material adapted to pass twisting load ,to said torque element, and means carried by said channel member for connecting said chair back to said seat frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,734,144 Morin Nov. 5, 1929 1,840,275 Nuberg Ian. 5, 1932 1,914,646 Rand June 20, 1933 2,343,494 Burdick Mar. 7, 1944 2,450,213 Turner Sept. 28, 1948 2,523,960 Liljengren et al. Sept. 26, 1950 2,525,008 Zakariasen Oct. 10, 1950 2,575,221 Horner et al. Nov. 13, 1951 2,585,447 Eichorst Feb. 12, 1952 2,611,423 Blum Sept. 23, 1952 

